Ivy Green, Helen Keller’s birthplace, draws attention from Madison Area Lions Club

MADISON – Members of Madison Area Lions Club headed west to Tuscumbia to assist in a cleanup and improvement project at Ivy Green.

The Madison Lions joined other Alabama Lions for their state project on Aug. 12. They cleaned up the Lions area at the Helen Keller Birthplace Home, known as Ivy Green, in Tuscumbia. “We were pleased to help with this workday at Ivy Green,” Madison Area Lion President Cheryl Emich said.

“As Lions members, it is important for every club to support our state projects. Ivy Green has special meaning to the Lions since Helen Keller challenged the Lions Clubs International in 1925 to become the Knights of the Blind and help eliminate preventable blindness,” Emich said.

Club members worked approximately five hours at Ivy Green to install a French drain (a trench with gravel or pipe to redirect water in a yard), clear debris in flowerbeds and trim trees and shrubs.

“It is great to see Lions members support our newest state project,” Madison Lion John Emich said. He serves as Vice Chair for the Lions Helen Keller Memorial, a project of Multiple District 34 or MD34. Established as a state-level organization, MD34 oversees the Lions Clubs in the state of Alabama.

“We have several plans for the Lions area as we prepare for the Centennial Celebration and rededication to Helen Keller’s 1925 challenge to Lions Worldwide,” John Emich said. “This Centennial Celebration will be important to Lions worldwide, the Alabama Lions and the local area.”

“We look forward to working with the Helen Keller Birthplace Foundation and the local area to make this Centennial Celebration a magnificent event. We have the Centennial Celebration scheduled for June 7, 2025,” John Emich said.

“We had a good morning while working,” Cheryl Emich said. “It’s also good to meet members of other area Lions Clubs as we come together to serve local communities and support this state project.”

Madison Area Lions Club is always looking for new members who want to serve their community. Madison Area Lions Club meets on the second Tuesday of every month at Dublin Park, Meeting Room A at 6 p.m.

Lions clubs are recognized service organizations who identify needs within their community and work together to fulfill those needs. For more information, email Tony Villamil at madisonlionsclub@gmail.com and visit Facebook/Madison Area Family Lions Club.